Gunman pointed weapon at police, threatened teen hostages’ lives before officers opened fire in fatal shooting: IIU By: Tyler Searle Posted: 1:38 PM CDT Monday, Jun. 1, 2026

The man who was shot dead Friday by Winnipeg police had pointed a gun at officers and threatened to kill teenage hostages after he barricaded himself inside their home while evading arrest, Manitoba’s police watchdog said in a news release Monday.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has launched a review of the fatal shooting, which marked the end to an armed standoff between police and a 34-year-old suspect who forced his way into a random home on King Edward Street Friday morning.

The IIU release said members of Manitoba’s violent offender apprehension unit had received information that day that the suspect, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, was believed to be driving a stolen vehicle and possibly in possession of a firearm near CF Polo Park.

Members of the unit, which is made up of officers from Winnipeg police and RCMP, located the suspect shortly before 10:30 a.m.

Police tried to arrest him twice, but he evaded capture — first by ramming a police vehicle, and later by running into a residential area, the IIU said.

Fifteen minutes later, police watched the man force his way into a home on the 400 block of King Edward Street. They approached the house and issued verbal commands to the suspect, but the situation escalated into an armed and barricaded incident.

“Officers reported seeing the male point a firearm at them through the drapes of an open window, at which time a police officer discharged their firearm, causing the male to retreat from the window and out of view inside the residence,” the IIU release said.

“Members proceeded to implement armed and barricaded protocols. While additional resources were being requested, officers determined the male had no connection to the residence and that several people remained inside.”

Additional officers, including Winnipeg police tactical and K-9 units, arrived just before 11 a.m. About 20 minutes later, police spotted a man running out the front door “in a panic.”

The man told officers that he and two female youths were trapped in the home when the suspect forced his way inside with a firearm and threatened to kill them. He believed that one of the youths was in the basement with the suspect, while the other youth was hiding on the main floor, the release said.

Police rescued one of the youths from the home, but the second remained in the basement with the suspect. Officers then saw smoke billowing out the front door and a team immediately entered the house, where they rescued the second youth.

“At this time, the male suspect exited the rear of the residence brandishing a firearm, and a use-of-force encounter with police ensued. The male suspect sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased at the scene,” the IIU said.

Police have not confirmed the man’s identity.

The IIU has assumed the investigation, and will not provide further details, the release said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca